Dawn Patrol

Up earlier than usual to help Mer off to college orientation. If you haven’t gone or sent anyone to college in the last 20 years, you might not realize how smart colleges are getting about the orientation process. Many now hold it for a 48-hour period in the summer, weeks before classes begin. It is a toe in the water. You take any necessary placement exams, meet your advisor, sign up for classes and begin to morph from a bored-out-of-your-mind high school senior to bright-eyed-and-nervous college freshman. This way that first weekend has fewer stresses and fewer chances for the freshman to screw up. It’s a great idea

I’ve been having a hard time sleeping – very unusual for me. I think it’s a combination of life stress and writing. The life stress (see paragraph above & I’m moving & I’m moving my parents soon) is understandable. But why would writing make it hard to sleep? I don’t know for sure, but here’s a caffeine-deprived theory. I prefer long, intense writing days (10 hours or more) to the “everything in moderation approach”. (I suck at moderation in writing.) It makes it easier to stay consistent in voice and hold all the details about a character in my head. The downside is it is very hard to turn my head off. Friday night I kept getting back out of bed to write down ideas. Don’t worry. Another day or so and it will catch up with me and I’ll crash. I am known for marathon sleeping sessions as well.

Jane Yolen, one of my long-time heroes, is keeping an online journal that is inspirational and comforting.

What do you think about my new LJ icon? PROM has been out for four months now, so I figured it was time for that commercial break to be over. And I hugely identify with Xena. I wish I could carry my sword with me everywhere…

60 Replies to “Dawn Patrol”

At my university the arts and sciences students can come for an “ArtSci in July” weekend during the summer to meet people and register early for classes. Engineering students don’t have that option (I don’t think the other schools do either, but I’m not sure). In the engineering school we keep saying that we don’t want to start a program like that because having all the engineering students register during Orientation starts everyone out at the same level. The ArtSci in July weekends let people PAY to have better pick at first semester classes. If you can’t afford the plane ticket out to St. Louis for just a weekend during the summer, then you get last pick during Orientation with anyone else who didn’t go. On the other hand, spreading Orientation out a little more could be helpful.

At my university the arts and sciences students can come for an “ArtSci in July” weekend during the summer to meet people and register early for classes. Engineering students don’t have that option (I don’t think the other schools do either, but I’m not sure). In the engineering school we keep saying that we don’t want to start a program like that because having all the engineering students register during Orientation starts everyone out at the same level. The ArtSci in July weekends let people PAY to have better pick at first semester classes. If you can’t afford the plane ticket out to St. Louis for just a weekend during the summer, then you get last pick during Orientation with anyone else who didn’t go. On the other hand, spreading Orientation out a little more could be helpful.

I think it’s good that the EnSchool isn’t letting people have that advantage, but it’s still obviously a problem because the artsci school is HUGE. I think if they really want people to register early, then they can have them email or chat online with their advisors during the summer and then register (it’s all online anyway). Pretty much anyone going to a university will have internet access available somewhere… at the public library or at their high school or somewhere. And the math placement exam, which I think is the only one they let people take during ArtSci in July is online anyway. And it’s also just a “guideline” not an actual “placement” exam. So that can definitely be taken from home. I think the cost of college overall is definitely a problem though.

At my university the arts and sciences students can come for an “ArtSci in July” weekend during the summer to meet people and register early for classes. Engineering students don’t have that option (I don’t think the other schools do either, but I’m not sure). In the engineering school we keep saying that we don’t want to start a program like that because having all the engineering students register during Orientation starts everyone out at the same level. The ArtSci in July weekends let people PAY to have better pick at first semester classes. If you can’t afford the plane ticket out to St. Louis for just a weekend during the summer, then you get last pick during Orientation with anyone else who didn’t go. On the other hand, spreading Orientation out a little more could be helpful.

I read Kevin’s book Olive’s Ocean for my adolescent literature class this summer and I think it is a very good story. A teacher friend of mine gave me some lesson plans for using his picture books in my classroom after I graduate this year.

I do have to tell you Laurie that the other day some of the teenage girls were over to my house and they noticed that I had several of your books and they went nuts wanting to borrow them and talking about Speak. They fought over who would get to read Prom first. I told them all about your website and the live journal. I even suggested throwing a Speak viewing party for September, if we do I will send you some pictures.

I read Kevin’s book Olive’s Ocean for my adolescent literature class this summer and I think it is a very good story. A teacher friend of mine gave me some lesson plans for using his picture books in my classroom after I graduate this year.

I do have to tell you Laurie that the other day some of the teenage girls were over to my house and they noticed that I had several of your books and they went nuts wanting to borrow them and talking about Speak. They fought over who would get to read Prom first. I told them all about your website and the live journal. I even suggested throwing a Speak viewing party for September, if we do I will send you some pictures.

I read Kevin’s book Olive’s Ocean for my adolescent literature class this summer and I think it is a very good story. A teacher friend of mine gave me some lesson plans for using his picture books in my classroom after I graduate this year.

I do have to tell you Laurie that the other day some of the teenage girls were over to my house and they noticed that I had several of your books and they went nuts wanting to borrow them and talking about Speak. They fought over who would get to read Prom first. I told them all about your website and the live journal. I even suggested throwing a Speak viewing party for September, if we do I will send you some pictures.

I make this mistake all the time, too, but the link is to an article about Kevin Hawkes (My Sister Ate One Hare and Westlandia), whereas Kevin Henkes is the Kittens First Full Moon and Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse guy!
Love the icon.

I make this mistake all the time, too, but the link is to an article about Kevin Hawkes (My Sister Ate One Hare and Westlandia), whereas Kevin Henkes is the Kittens First Full Moon and Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse guy!
Love the icon.

I make this mistake all the time, too, but the link is to an article about Kevin Hawkes (My Sister Ate One Hare and Westlandia), whereas Kevin Henkes is the Kittens First Full Moon and Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse guy!
Love the icon.

One time I was trying to sleep and then all of a sudden I get “plot bunnies”. I couldn’t sleep because I kept getting ideas and eventually had to get up and write them down or keep it stuck in my head and try to sleep.

One time I was trying to sleep and then all of a sudden I get “plot bunnies”. I couldn’t sleep because I kept getting ideas and eventually had to get up and write them down or keep it stuck in my head and try to sleep.

One time I was trying to sleep and then all of a sudden I get “plot bunnies”. I couldn’t sleep because I kept getting ideas and eventually had to get up and write them down or keep it stuck in my head and try to sleep.

Laurie – or should i say Ms. Halse? or Ms. Halse Anderson? i just wanted to let you know that i am a HUGE fan! i’ve read Speak at least 30 times and i’ve read Fever…, Catalyst (at least 3 times), and Prom. whenever i am bored or can’t find a new book in stores to read, or i just need a book that i know i’ll enjoy, Speak is always the first one that comes to mind. it is by far my favorite book! i’m so glad you have this website and a livejournal! it’s awesome knowing i can send you this message and it won’t send me back some automatic response! can i ask a few questions? where did you get the idea for Speak? it’s incredible! how did you write it? and also, are you coming to chicago any time soon? :o) thanks again!

Laurie – or should i say Ms. Halse? or Ms. Halse Anderson? i just wanted to let you know that i am a HUGE fan! i’ve read Speak at least 30 times and i’ve read Fever…, Catalyst (at least 3 times), and Prom. whenever i am bored or can’t find a new book in stores to read, or i just need a book that i know i’ll enjoy, Speak is always the first one that comes to mind. it is by far my favorite book! i’m so glad you have this website and a livejournal! it’s awesome knowing i can send you this message and it won’t send me back some automatic response! can i ask a few questions? where did you get the idea for Speak? it’s incredible! how did you write it? and also, are you coming to chicago any time soon? :o) thanks again!

Laurie – or should i say Ms. Halse? or Ms. Halse Anderson? i just wanted to let you know that i am a HUGE fan! i’ve read Speak at least 30 times and i’ve read Fever…, Catalyst (at least 3 times), and Prom. whenever i am bored or can’t find a new book in stores to read, or i just need a book that i know i’ll enjoy, Speak is always the first one that comes to mind. it is by far my favorite book! i’m so glad you have this website and a livejournal! it’s awesome knowing i can send you this message and it won’t send me back some automatic response! can i ask a few questions? where did you get the idea for Speak? it’s incredible! how did you write it? and also, are you coming to chicago any time soon? :o) thanks again!

I think it’s good that the EnSchool isn’t letting people have that advantage, but it’s still obviously a problem because the artsci school is HUGE. I think if they really want people to register early, then they can have them email or chat online with their advisors during the summer and then register (it’s all online anyway). Pretty much anyone going to a university will have internet access available somewhere… at the public library or at their high school or somewhere. And the math placement exam, which I think is the only one they let people take during ArtSci in July is online anyway. And it’s also just a “guideline” not an actual “placement” exam. So that can definitely be taken from home. I think the cost of college overall is definitely a problem though.

I think it’s good that the EnSchool isn’t letting people have that advantage, but it’s still obviously a problem because the artsci school is HUGE. I think if they really want people to register early, then they can have them email or chat online with their advisors during the summer and then register (it’s all online anyway). Pretty much anyone going to a university will have internet access available somewhere… at the public library or at their high school or somewhere. And the math placement exam, which I think is the only one they let people take during ArtSci in July is online anyway. And it’s also just a “guideline” not an actual “placement” exam. So that can definitely be taken from home. I think the cost of college overall is definitely a problem though.